Feeler mechanism for looms



tion are applicable to various types of feeler mechanism they are herein shown in connection with a type of feeler mechanism known as the side-slip feeler wherein the feeler tends to move lengthwise of the filling carrier, but is restrained from such lengthwise movement by the filling on the filling carrier until the required degree of exhaustion has been reached when the feeler, encountering the smooth surface of the filling carrier, slips therealong and effects initiation of the change in the operation of the loom.

A further feature of the invention, therefore, resides in the combination with the side slip feeler of the features of the invention already pointed out.

The nature and objects of the invention will more fully appear from the accompanying description and drawings and will be particularly pointed out in the claims.

The drawings illustrate a simple and preferred embodiment of the invention in connection with a preferred form of side slip feeler mechanism, such as illustrated in the patent to Stimpson No. 1,309,226 granted July 8, 1919.

Such a type of feeler mechanism is usually employed in connection with an automatic filling replenishing loom of the well known Northrop type. As this type of loom and as the type of feeler mechanism illustrated are both well known and familiar to those skilled in the art it will only be necessary here to describe in detail those features of construction particularly concerned with the embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view, partially broken away, of the left hand or detecting end of an automatic filling replenishing loom embodying a preferred form of construction of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a detail, in rear elevation, of a portion of the controller mechanism;

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the main elements of the feeler mechanism with the feeler in released rearwardly projected position adapted to co-operate in a normal manner with the filling in the active shuttle and with the detent carrier and detent device in forward untripped position;

Fig. 1 is a view similar to Fig. 3 with the dctent carrier and detent device in rearward position and with the feeler re-engaged with the detent device;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation, partially in vertical cross section, of the construction in the position shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation, partially in vertical cross section, of the construction in the position shown in Fig. 4;;

Fig. 7 is al view similar to Fig. 3, but with the parts in the position assumed when the feeler is in its unreleased or inoperative position so as to be held well out of contact with the filling;

Fig. 8 is a front elevation of the construetion as shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 9 is a rear elevation of the construction shown in Fig. 3 with the rearward portions of the feeler and plunger cut away.

In the construction illustrated the feeler mechanism is shown mounted at the left hand end of the breast beam 1 of the loom. The lay 2 is shown provided with the shuttle box 3 at the corresponding end of the loom in which is shown boxed the shuttle 4 containing the filling carrier 5 provided with the mass of working filling 6. An opening 7 is provided through the front wall 8 and a similar opening through the front wall of the shuttle to permit the feeler to enter and feel against the filling upon each detecting beat-up of the lay.

In the particular construction illustrated a side slip feeler mechanism of the general type shown in the patent to Stimpson above mentioned is shown. rllhis feeler mechanism presents a suitable support or bracket 9, usually of cast iron, adjustably secured to the breastbeam as by means of one or more bolts 10 extending through the slot 11 in the support into the breast beam 1 or an extension thereof. The feeler consists of a long arm 12 bent at its rearward end to present the feeler tip 13 slotted on its rear face to provide the filling engaging teeth 14. At its forward end the feeler rod 12 slides freely in a guide 15 swiveled at 1G in the support 9. At the rear end of the support the feeler rod extends through a broad passage-way or slot 17 of a slotted guide at the rear of the support. The slot '.18 of this guide is closed at the top by a cap plate 19 thus confining the feeler rod against vertical movement. A controller in the form of a sliding` plate 2O is mounted for lateral sliding movement in the slot 18 and is itself slotted at 21 to allow for the passage of the feeler rod 12 therethrough. Substantially midway of the support, between the swiveled guide and the controller 20, there is secured to the feeler rod 12 a slide 22 which slides on horizontal slideways 23 formed on the top face of the support 9. This slide 22 is adjustably secured longitudinally of the feeler rod and held in position by a nut 24. A spring 25 surrounds the feeler rod between the nut 24 and the swiveled guide 15 and normally tends to project the feeler rod rearwardly. The rearward movement of the feeler rod is limited by the engagement of the slide 22 with the rearward end 26 of the support in which is formed thc slot 1S.

lt will be observed that the feeler rod l2 extends at an acute angle to the path of travel of the lay and that the rearward end of the feeler rod is slightly inclined toward lli',

the rio-ht with respect tothe main body of the rod. As a result of this construction, when the lay beats up, the lilling 6 in the workingl shuttle, when it engages the tip of the feeler and pushes the fecler rod forwardly, tends at the same time to move the feeler tip to the right longitudinally of the filling carrier. So long as the lilling is of sutlicient mass to engage the tee-th 14 of the feeler tip, the resistance thus oli'ered prevents any slipping movement of the feeler tip lengthwise of the illing carrier and the feeler rod is simply pushed forwardly compressing the spring 25 and swinging` the slide and swireled guide very slightly. When the lay beats back the spring 25 moves the feeler rod rearwardly until the slide 22 engages thev rear end 26 ot the support. The-n, however, the filling is substantially exhausted so that the bare surface of the filling carrier engages the feeler tip upon the beat-up, the tip is no longer restrained by the filling, lout slips to the right along the smooth surface of the tilling carrier. This side slipping movement of the feeler is what is utilized to initiate the change in the operation of the loom by transmittingl a lateral movement to the right to the controller 20. llVhen the lay beats back the spring projects the feeler rod rearwardly and a depend-l ing lug, from the slide 22, riding along the cam surface 27 on the support E), cams the feeler rod laterally into its normal position.V

A simple and preferred form oi'l mechanism for transmitting the lateral movement of the controller 2O to effecta change in the operation of the loom illustrated. A controller rod 28 is pivotally connected to the controller 2O and extends therefrom and is connected at its other end to a bell crank lever 29 fulcrnmed at 30 on a bracket 31 bolted at 32 to the breast beam. The opposite arm` of the hell crank lever extends beneath a portion of a latch 3? pivotcd at -lllon a transmitter 35 extending transversely over the breast beam and in turn Apivoted at. its forward end 3G Vto an arm 37 secured to and opstanding` from a starter rod or shaft 38 journalled in bearings 39 at the front ot' the breast beam. The starter rod illustrated is of the type commonly employed for -connection with and for actuating a means for automatically replenishing the filling. In the construction thus illustrated, when the feeler slips laterally, owing to substantial exhaustion of the filling in the working shuttle and carries laterally with it the controller 20, the rod 28 is moved laterally rocking the bell crank lever 29 and lifting the latch 33 into the path of the constantly vibrating weft hammer 40. Consequently the transmitter 34 is carried forwardly rocking the starter rod and thus initiating the desired change in the operation of the loom; such, for example, as the replenishment of the weft.

VWith the mechanism thus far described it will be seen that the feeler tip is struck by the mass of tilling` on the working filling carrier at each detecting beat or under usual conditions at each alternate beat-up of the lay and this continual banging' of the working filling against the feeler tip and the continual reciprocation of the feeler rod goes on as long as the loom is in operation. One feature of the present invention, as already pointed out, is for the purpose of eliminating this continual action and thus minimizing the wear of the mechanism and the strain upon the filling.

In other words, the feeler is to have periods of activity and periods of inactivity during weaving with the same supply of filling in the shuttle, and in order that the feeler may not Contact with the filling, even lightly, during its period of inactivity, the present invention contemplates that it be withdrawn in a direction away from its feeling position to assume its position of inactivity and be held in such position until released to its shorter period of activity.

In the construction illustrated, as a preferred form of embodiment of this feature of the invention, a detent device is provided which acts to engage the feeler and hold it against rearward movement during its periods of inactivity. This detent device is mounted on the feeler support so as to be bodily movable forwardly and rearwardly. When the feeler is released from the detent device so as to co-operate in a normal manner with the filling in the active shuttle, the detent device moves rearwardly and if the filling is not depleted to a predetermined amount or to a point where it is zuiproaching substantial exhaustion the i'ee'ler is forced into re-engagement with the detent device and the detent device i then moved bodily forwardly thus carrying the teeler to a position where it remains in its unreleased or inoperative position well ont of contact with the tilling.

In the construction illustrated the rearward and forward bodily movement of the detent device is provided by means of a detent carrier 41. The rearward end of the carrier rests and slides upon the upper sur face of a rocker block 42 journalled at 43 in lugs 44 upstanding from the cap plate 19. A guide rod 45 projects forwardly from the rocker block 42 and is provided at its forward end with a collar 46 adjustably secured to it by a set screw 47. A block 48 is rigidly and longitudinally adjustably secured to the bottom of the carrier by means of a set screw 49 passing through a slot 50 in the carrier. This block is apertured to lit and slide upon the guide rod 45. A helical spring 51, surrounding the rod between the ifi block 4S and the adjustable collar 16, acts to project the carrier rearwardly. The detent device proper is in the torni ot a pawl 52 pivoted at 53 to the bloc/li 4:8 and yieldingly held in depressed or engaging position by a helical spring f-l.

1t will thus be seen that the prese-nt invention provides a detent ior engagement with a part connected to the leeler when the Yt'eeler is moved frontwardly by a working supply ot lilling in the shuttle on a detecting beat7 and means are provided vto move or withdraw the detent, and consequently the iieeiler. away from feeling position to assume its position of inactivity, for an interval o time, and then release the teeler to the performance ot its feeling lunction.

At the torward end of the iee'ler support there mounted for rotary movement a double eam or detent controller. The members of this ca-ni are conveniently formed upon the upper surtace ot a ratchet wheel` rlhis ratchet wheel is seated on a 'friction washer on the -upper surface of a supporting arm 5G ot' a bracket 57 bolted at 58 to the support 9 and is journalled upon al stud 59 which may be a continuation of, or in axial alinementwith, the swiveled -portion 16 of the guide 15, One cam member is formed by the upper surface 60 of a projection G1 vfrom the tace ot the ratchet wheel. rIihe Aother cam member is tormed by the inner surface (32 of van irregular shaped flange 63 projecting "from the face of the ratchet wheel.

These two cams control the moven'ient of the carrier and, consequently7 ot the detent device. r1`he forward end of the carrier 41 has secured thereto and depending .therefrom a follower 6ft in the torm of a cylindrical stud roundedoliI at the bottoni. 'lhe engagen'rent ot the side of this follower with the cam suriace GQ, in .co-operation with -the spring 51. imparts the required ttor-ward and rearward movements to the carrier. 'l` he engagement ot the lower end or bottom ot this follower with the upper .surface ot the ratchet wheel and the vcam surface (50 inno-operation with a helical spring 65 seated between the rocker bloel; 112 and the cap .plate 19 imparts an up and down tipping movement to the carrier to etl'ect the release Aot .the detent device.

rlhe double rotary cam is given its rota-ry movement in any suitable manner trom any moving part ot the loom. 1n the construction illustrated such movement is secured 'by a pawl and ratchetr mechanism operated by the lay. For this purpose the pawl-carrying ar-m G6 is journalled on the stud 59 and at its tree end has ypivoted thereto `a pawl 67 held by a helical spring GS in engagement with the teeth ot the ratchet wheel 5F. A slide block GS). journalled on the lower end of the stud 70 carrying the pawl, is mounted in a slotl in the top of a block 71 adjustably secured by a set screw 72 to a plunger rod T3. This plunger rod is preferably mounted to slide rectilinearly in line with the path oi' movement ot' t-he lay. It is shown as mounted at its rear end in one of the lugs al and at its t'orward end in a lug 7l upstanding itrom the bracket 57. A helical spring on the rod, abutting` the lug Tl and the yblock '71, acts to project the plunger' rod rearimrdly and a collar 75, adjustably secured on the plunger rod by means ot a set screw To, limits the rearward movement by engagement with the lug del.

The plunger rod T3 at its rearward end is vprovided with a suitable elastic tip or bulter 'TT and7 as shown, is adapted to come into contact with the t'ront shuttle wall carried by the lay. Consequently, upon each beat.- up of the lay 'the plunger is moved ttorwardly to an extent determined by the position of the collar 75 and, eonsetpiently7 moves the pawl 67 and rotates the ratchet wheel 55 one or more teeth.

The operation of the mechanism will now be apparent. During the main portion ot the periods, when the eeler is in its inoperative position, the parts are generally shown in Fig. 7. Under these conditions the de tent carrier l1 is held in 'its retracted lposition by the Jfollower lbeing in engagement: with the circular portion o'f the cam suritace 62 which constitutes three-fourths oi? the length of the cam. The detent 52 is held downwardly by its spring 5l in engagement `with one ot the teeth 78 on the slide 22 `cured to the feeler so that the eeler is held in its retracted position. Thus both the springs 51 and 25 are compressed. 1n `this position the teeler is locked so lar liorwardly that its tip is well out ol possibility ot contact with `the lfilling in thel working shuttle when the lay beats up. The plunger 7?) is pushed 'forwardly by the lay upon 1ach beat-up and thus gradually through the pawl and ratchet mechanism rotates the double cam. Finally the cam (l07 riding under the follower, raises the lorwa'ril end ol the detent carrier l1, tipping it about its axis #i3 and compressing the spring (i5. its the lhigh part ot the cam (S0 passes under the follower Gel the detentcarrier Vis tipped sutticiently `to release the detent 52, which is limited in lits movement with respect to the block 48 by the stop T9, from fthe teeth TS and thus allow the teeler to be projected by the spring 25 to its rearward position. The feeler now co-operates in vthe normal manner with the `tilling in the active shuttle. The vparts Vnow are in -t-he general position shown in 3. At or immediately atter the release ot the teeler the cam (3() rides from under the follower G4, the carrier is tipped b v the spring (l5 to its normal horilill lflt) zontal position, and the extreme point ot the tace cani (S2 comes, vopposite the follower 64 allowing the carrier 4l to be projected rearwardly by the spring 51. If now the lling has reached the required point ot substantial exhaustion -the feeler `will be given its initiating movement, in this case the side slip movement, and will through suitable means, such as, `the controller 2O 4and connections hereinbefore described, set into operation the mechanism for initiating a change in the operation of the loom, such as, the filling replenishment. If however, as is usually the case, the filling has not been depleted to the required extent there is no initiating movement or side slip of the feeler and it is forced forwardly by the filling on the beat-up and its teeth 7 8 re-engage with the detent 52 which detent, it will be remembered, is now in its rearward position. After the feeler has thus re-engaged with the detent the parts are generally in the position shown in Fig. 4. But it will be remembered that the double cam is being steadily rotated and immediately this re-engagement of the -leeler with the detent takes place the cam face 62 adjacent the extreme point 8O passes the follower 64 and draws the carrier and with it the detent device bodily into its forward position. Hence the feeler is immediately brought into position where it is well out of contact with the filling.

Applicant believes himself to be the first in the art to provide a feeler mechanism for looms with means for moving or withdrawing the f'eeler away from its feeling position and holding it there during the period of inactivity of' the feeler and to release the teeler at intervals to perform its feeling function so that during the periods of inactivity of the feeler it will not engage the filling, even though the diameter of the filling presented to the feeler may vary.

Having thus described the inventiony what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is:

l. A leeler mechanism for looms comprising a feeler support, a feeler movably mounted on the support, means for yieldingly projecting the feeler rearwardly, a detent device acting to engage the teeler and hold it against rearward movement, means acting at regular intervals to release the feelor from the detent device and thus allow the l'eeler to be projected rearwardly to eo-operate in norniial manner with tlielilling in the active shuttle, means acting to project the detent device bodily rearwardly after the feeler is released whereby, if the said iilling is not depleted to a predetermined amount, the feeler will be moved by the filling into reengagement with the detent device and gaged by the ieeler whereby the 'teelt-1r, when in unreleased or inoperative position, is held well out of contact with the filling. j

2. A teeler mechanism tor looms comprising a feeler support, a feeler movably bythe detent device whereby, if the said iilling is not depleted to ai predetermined amount, the feeler will be moved by the lilling into re-engagement with the detent device and means acting after the lieeler has re-engaged the detent device to retract the carrier and hold it in retracted position whereby the feeler, when in unreleased or inoperative position, is held well out of contact with the filling.

3. A feeler mechanism for looms comprising a feeler support, a feeler movably mounted on the support, means for yieldingly projecting the f'eeler rearwardly, a detent device acting to engage the feeler and hold it against rearward movement, a carrier for the detent device mounted on the support for forward and rearward movement and for tipping movement, means for yieldingly projecting the carrier rearwardly, a double rotary cam, a ratchet wheel for rotating the cam', a pa-wl carrier and pawl-co-operating with the ratchet wheel, means for moving the pawl carrier thereby to effect the rotation of the cam, one cam member acting at a predetermined point in its rotation to tip the carrier and releasethe feeler from the detent device and thus allow the feeler to be projected rearwardly to co-operate in normal manner with the filling in the active shuttle, the other cam member acting upon or after the release oi t-he feeler from the detent device to release the carrier and allow it to move rearwardly whereby, ii the said filling is not depleted to a predotermined amount, the feeler will be moved by the filling into re-engagement with the dentent device, the said other cam member then acting after the teeler has re-engaged the detent device to retract the carrier and hold it in re-y tracted position whereby the ieeler, when in unreleased or inoperative position, is held well out of contact with the filling.

4. A feeler mechanism for looms comprising the construction in claim 3 in which the one cam member is formed by the upper surface of a projection from the tace of -the Sii ratchet wheel and in which the other cam member is formed by the inner sur't'ace of a flange projecting from the ilace of the ratchet wheel.

5. A feeler mechanism for looms comprising a teeler to co-operate intermittently with the filling in the active shuttle and thereby eti'ect a change in the operation of the loom when substantial exhaustion ot filling is detected, means to engage and holdr the iieeleil in retracted position,` means actinga-t regular intervals to release the iieeler from the engaging means and allow `it to co-operate in normal manner with the filling, means acting,Y until substantial filling exhaustion is ap )roaclied upon each release and teniporary co-operation of the feeler with the filling first to move the engaging means into proiecting position then to restore the i'eeler into engagement with the engaging means and then to move the teeler and the engaging means. into retracted position whereby the teeler, when in unreleased or inoperativev position, is held well ont ot' contact with the filling.

(S. fh eeler mechanism for looms comprising the construction defined in claim l in which the feeler is movably mounted on the support both to move forwardly and rearwardly and also laterally,y the said lateral movement taking place when the filling is sufficiently depleted. to allow the feeler to,y

slip on the filling carrier.

7. A feeler mechanism for looms comprising' the construction defined in claim 3 in which the feelei.' is mounted to move forwardly and rearwardly on the support in a path at an acute angle to the path of movement ot'. the pawl carrier and in which thev 'l'eeler is also mounted to move laterally onr the support, the said lateral movement taking place when the filling is sufiiciently depleted tor allow the teeleii to slip on the filling carrier.

8. A .eeler mechanism for looms compris-- ing the construction defined in claim 3, together with means for adjnstiing the movement of' the pawl carrierito effect a predetermined degree of rotation oft the cam.

9. In a loom, the combination of a eeler to detect substantial exhaustion of the filling in the shuttle and thereupon initiate replenishiment ot filling, a Afeeler withdrawing and holding. device to withdraw thc teelcr from cooperative relation with the filling and maintain. it at rest, and means to operate Said device to free the feeler at intervals dui'- ing. weaving with the same supply ot fillingl in the shuttle that the feeler may have periods of activity and periods of inactivity withv respect to the same filling in the shuttie.

l0. In a loonithe combination oi' a yieldingly sustained feeler to cooperate with the filling in the shuttle and bring about a change in the operation oit the loom when substantial exhaustion of filling is detected, a feeler retracting and holding device to withdraw the ieeler and hold it in retracted position, means for operating the feeler retracting and holding device to free the ieeler at intervals. and then withdraw and hold the eeler again in retracted' position when a working supply of filling is in the shuttle on a. detecting beat that thefeeler may have periods of activity and periods ot inactivity during weaving with the same supp-ly ol filling'.

1l'. in a loom` the combination of: a ieeler, means for drawing the iieeler frontwardlfy out of cooperative relation with the filling and holding it at rest for a period of time and then releasing it to the performance oft its feeling function, and mechanism for operating said means that the iieeler may have periods of.V activity and be withdrawn into a position of inactivity at intervals during weaving with the same supplyo'ff filling in the shuttle.

l2. A iteeler mechanism for looms, coniprising, in combination, a feder, a spring normally tending to move the feeler to rearward feeling position, a teeler witlidraii-'ing and holding device to move the teeler Afrontward'ly in opposition to said spring and hold it in inoperative relation to the filling and to release the feeler periodically, and operating means for the feeler withdrawing and holding device to cause said device to* free the feeler at intervals tov the action of its spring and then withdraw and hold the feeler at rest for another period of inactivity during weaving with the same supply of filling in the shuttle.

A feeler mecl'i'anism'for looms7 comprising, in combination, a feeler mounted to enter the shuttle and detect sul'istantial exhaustion ofy the filling and thereupon initiate replenishment oil filling, a detent to engage a part connected to the iceelei' when the eeler is moved frontwardly by a working supply ofl filling in the shuttle on a detecting beat, means acting to move the Vfeeler frontwaidly an additional amount beyond the reach of the filling on detecting beats and holfd it in inoperative position, and means Ytor freeing the ii'eeler at intervals that the feeler may have periods of activity and periods oil". inactivity during weaving with the same supply ot filling in the shuttle.

l-i. A teeler mechanism for looms,l comprising, in combination, a feeler mounted' to enter the shuttle and detect substantial exhaustion ott the filling and. thereupon initiate` replenishment of filling, a detent to engage a part connected to the f'eeler when the Afeeler is moved frontwaidly by` a working supply oif filling in the shuttle on a detecting beat, a detent controller to move ther detent frontwardly and further move the feel'er llfl away from feeling position and trip the detent at intervals, and means for actuating the detent coiitroller.

l5. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler mounted to enter the shuttle in a direction inclined to the longitudinal axis of the shuttle and detect substantial exhaustion of the filling and thereupon effect replenishment of filling, means to move the feeler in a direction away from feeling position when it is moved frontivardly by a working supply of filling in the shuttle and to hold it in such position of inactivity for an interval of time and then release the feeler for movement to feeling position, and operating mechanism for said means that the feeler may have short periods of activity and longer periods of inactivity during Weaving With the same supply of filling in the shuttle.

lfi. In a loom, the combination of a feeler, a detent to engage a part connected to the feeler when the latter is moved by a Working supply of filling on a detecting beat, a detent controller having a part to move the detent bodily in a direction to carry the feeler away from feeling position and a part to trip the detent and free the feeler, said parts being constructed and arranged to act alternately at intervals, and means for actuating the detent controller.

l?. In a loom, the combination of a feeler, a detent, a detent controller comprising a part for causing the detent to move the feeler away from feeling position When the detent is operatively related thereto and a part to effect release of the feeler from the detent at intervals, and means for operating the detent controller.

1S. In al feelel1 mechanism for looms, the combination of a. feeler to detect substantial exhaustion of filling in the shuttle and thereupon initiate replenishment, means for moving the feeler frontwardly beyond the reach of the filling on detecting beats and for holding it at rest for a period of time out of cooperative relation with the filling and releasing it at intervals for the performance of its feeling function that the feeler may have periods of activity and inactivity during Weaving with the same supply of filling in the shuttle.

Ill). In a feeler mechanisn'i for looms, the combination of a feeler to detect substantial exhaustion of the filling in the shuttle and thereupon initiate replenishment of filling, a detent for de 'ermining the active and inactive condition of the feeler, and a detent controller to control movements of the detent into three positions, one to release the feeler, another to engage a part connected to the feeler, and another to move the feeler in a direction away from feeling-position.

20. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of al feeler to detect substantial exhaustion of the filling in the shuttle and thereupon cause replenishment of filling, a detent for holding the feeler in a frontward position, nieans for causing the detent to move the feeler further frontWar'd beyond the reach of the filling on detecting beats, and means for tripping the detent at intervals that the feeler may have periods of activity and periods of inactivity during Weaving with the same supply of filling in the shuttle.

21. A feeler mechanism for looms, comprisng, in combination, a feeler mounted fol` yielding movement to feeling position to detect substantial exhaustion of the filling in the shuttle and thereupon cause replenishment of filling, a movable detent carrier, a deent yieldingly mounted on the detent carrier to engage a part connected to the feeler, a 'detent controller, and means for actuating the controller to cause the detent to Withdraw the feeler frontvvardly beyond the reach of the filling on detecting bea-ts and hold it during periods of inactivity and then release the feeler to its feeling function for periods of activity during Weaving with the same supply of filling in the shuttle.

22. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler, means for moving the feeler to an inoperative position beyond the reach of the filling in the shuttle on detecting beats that it may be held during its periods of inactivity out of contacting relation with the filling, and means for freeing the feeler at intervals that it may have periods of activity and periods of inactivity during Weaving with the same supply of filling in the shuttle.

23. A feeler mechanism for looms, comprising, in combination, a feeler, means for causing movement of the feeler to an inoperative position beyond the reach of the filling in the shuttle on detecting beats, means acting' to hold the feeler in such inoperative position during periods of inactivity that it may not engage the filling, and means for freeing the feeler at intervals that it may have periods of activity and periods of inactivity during Weaving with the same supply of fillinn.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

HARRY' A. Davis. 

